How to Climb Mount St. Helens
Choose when you want to climb., Purchase your permit in advance., Plan to register for a permit in person at the Lone Fir Resort in Cougar, WA if you are climbing between November 1st and March 31st., Consider climbing on Mother's Day weekend, which...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose when you want to climb.
You can climb Mount St.
Helens year-round, but late spring through early fall is the most popular season. -
Step 2: Purchase your permit in advance.
If you are climbing between April 1st and October 31st, purchase online: https://secure.kinsail.com/calendar.asp?p=mshi&pt=parks&ItemID=573012&GroupID=28812 for $22.00 each.
If you can't find a permit for the day the you want to climb, check http://purmit.com/ for permits for sale that people purchased but aren't going to use. , There is no fee for this time of year. , You'll still need to purchase a permit, but it's the last weekend before permits are limited to 100 per day.
It's a tradition for everyone (male and female) to wear a dress over their hiking gear.,, Hike Mt.
Defiance(the hard way) to get used to the elevation gain. , Know how much water you'll need, especially if it's hot. , You'll be scrambling over boulders for a good chunk of the Mount St.
Helens climb, so it's good to make sure you can handle this. , You can do that here. , It's not uncommon for the climb to take 10 hours.
If you're climbing during summer, it's best to avoid going up during the hottest part of the day. , Attach it securely to the outside of your pack.
Sign in at the register. , For people reading this article, that will probably be Climbers Bivouac. , It's a pretty obvious trail, but it's also marked by blue triangular posts on trees for those hiking it in the winter.
You'll gain around 900 feet (274.3 m) in elevation in these first two miles, which is the easy part of this hike. , Soon after that, there is an outhouse toilet.
The rest of the hike will be exposed, so it will be hard to find a private place to do your business.
Use this toilet if that's a concern of yours. , The trees will disappear and you'll need to use the wooden posts to guide your way for the rest of the climb.
You've just crossed the timberline, and into the part of the climb that requires a permit. , There will be many little trails--just keep following the posts. , The rock piles will turn back into a trail when you're close.
This part is grueling.
Just keep at it.
There's no mistaking when you've reached the top; take a few steps further and you'll risk falling right into the crater! If there is any snow at the crater, do not step out to the edge.
The snow forms into cornices which can easily collapse under you and result in death. , Many people choose to slide down the snow patches in their waterproof rain pants.
It's a lot like sledding, just be careful.
Most accidents occur when people glissading cannot control their speed and stop:
Most climber deaths are due to glissading. -
Step 3: Plan to register for a permit in person at the Lone Fir Resort in Cougar
-
Step 4: WA if you are climbing between November 1st and March 31st.
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Step 5: Consider climbing on Mother's Day weekend
-
Step 6: which is a fun event.
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Step 7: Do 8-10 mile (12-16 km) hikes with at least 3
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Step 8: 000 feet (914.4 m) of elevation gain to help prepare your body for this climb.
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Step 9: If you live in the Portland area: Hike Silver Star via Sturgeon Rock Loopto get used to the loose scree.
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Step 10: During these hikes: Make sure your boots hold up well and don't cause blisters.
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Step 11: Do hikes that expose you to scrambling.
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Step 12: Check the weather on the day of the climb.
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Step 13: Start early.
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Step 14: Pick up your permit at the Lone Fir Resort in Cougar
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Step 15: Go to the starting point.
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Step 16: Climb up the Ptarmigan Trail.
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Step 17: Go straight at the Loowit-Monitor Ridge Trail Junction.
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Step 18: Follow the posts when you leave the forest.
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Step 19: Scramble over the rock piles.
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Step 20: Keep climbing until you get to the crater.
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Step 21: Glissade on the way down if there is snow.
Detailed Guide
You can climb Mount St.
Helens year-round, but late spring through early fall is the most popular season.
If you are climbing between April 1st and October 31st, purchase online: https://secure.kinsail.com/calendar.asp?p=mshi&pt=parks&ItemID=573012&GroupID=28812 for $22.00 each.
If you can't find a permit for the day the you want to climb, check http://purmit.com/ for permits for sale that people purchased but aren't going to use. , There is no fee for this time of year. , You'll still need to purchase a permit, but it's the last weekend before permits are limited to 100 per day.
It's a tradition for everyone (male and female) to wear a dress over their hiking gear.,, Hike Mt.
Defiance(the hard way) to get used to the elevation gain. , Know how much water you'll need, especially if it's hot. , You'll be scrambling over boulders for a good chunk of the Mount St.
Helens climb, so it's good to make sure you can handle this. , You can do that here. , It's not uncommon for the climb to take 10 hours.
If you're climbing during summer, it's best to avoid going up during the hottest part of the day. , Attach it securely to the outside of your pack.
Sign in at the register. , For people reading this article, that will probably be Climbers Bivouac. , It's a pretty obvious trail, but it's also marked by blue triangular posts on trees for those hiking it in the winter.
You'll gain around 900 feet (274.3 m) in elevation in these first two miles, which is the easy part of this hike. , Soon after that, there is an outhouse toilet.
The rest of the hike will be exposed, so it will be hard to find a private place to do your business.
Use this toilet if that's a concern of yours. , The trees will disappear and you'll need to use the wooden posts to guide your way for the rest of the climb.
You've just crossed the timberline, and into the part of the climb that requires a permit. , There will be many little trails--just keep following the posts. , The rock piles will turn back into a trail when you're close.
This part is grueling.
Just keep at it.
There's no mistaking when you've reached the top; take a few steps further and you'll risk falling right into the crater! If there is any snow at the crater, do not step out to the edge.
The snow forms into cornices which can easily collapse under you and result in death. , Many people choose to slide down the snow patches in their waterproof rain pants.
It's a lot like sledding, just be careful.
Most accidents occur when people glissading cannot control their speed and stop:
Most climber deaths are due to glissading.
About the Author
Douglas Hart
Committed to making DIY projects accessible and understandable for everyone.
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